Ridable amusement and exercising device



2 Sheets-Sheet l mms/ron M. GREEN LIlv -.July 1o, 1951 RIDABLE AMUSEMEIIT AND EXERCISING DEVICE Filed March 2 5, 1950 July l0, 1951 M. GREEN 2,560,436

RIDABLE AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y INVENToR.

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Patented July 10, 1951 OFF-ICE RIDABLE AMUSEMENT VAND EXERCISING DEVICE Martin Green, Mahwah, N. J.

Application March 25, 1950, Serial No. 151,853

1-1 Claims. `l

This invention relates to amusement :indexercisingr'devices, and Yhas reference, more particularly, to a novel .oscillatable device .adapted to be ridden and to be operated bythe riders.

The invention has for an 4object to provide a ridable device suitable to lbe'safely Ausedby children, and which in operation-produces a pleasing vmotion comprising back and forth reciprocation with some accompanying upand down motion of the support upon which the riders sit; means being provided whereby both the arms and the legs of the riders can-be used Vin actuation-of the device with exercising effect; and means kbeing further provided to insure safe and hrm legbraced seating of the riders.

Another object of the invention-is lto provide a ridable `ldevice of the character above mentioned which includes means for adjustingthe'device so as to modify the -amplitude of its operational movement, Wherebyto accommodate `its'vactiori to riders of different size andv strength, and lespecially -so that such amplitude yof movement may be reduced to better Aassure safe use of the device by very small children.

The invention has for a further object to provide a ridable device Aon `whichtwo riders may sit facing each other in joint control of -theriiding operation, so that necessity for mutual coordination and spirit of cooperation will afford greater physical benefit and pleasure than can'be derived from use of single rider devices Other objects and advantages of the 'invention will become apparent asthe following description is read in lconnection with the accompanying drawings which disclose Van illustrative embodiment Vofthe invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l `is a side-elevational view of the ridable device a-ccording'to this invention, with theoperating means adjusted to permit amaximum amplitude of movementofthe seatingfmember, with `a midposition of the device being `shown lby full lines, Yand limit of movement of said device in one directionshown by brokenlines.

Fig. 2 is a top `plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the device; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar tothat of Fig. 1, but showing the devicev adjustedto reduce'its amplitude of movement to ammimum.

Similar .characters of reference are employed in the above ydescribed views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the ridable .device comprises the following .constituent parts, viz.:

a seating member; a, supporting structure by which thel seating member is mounted for movement; manually actuated operating means; foot rest means associated with the supporting structure and the operating means; and-means for adjusting the device for modifying the permitted amplitude of movement thereof.

The reference character III indicates the seating member of the device which comprises a iiat board of substantial length disposed in horizontal position, and which is of sufficient Width to provide seating surface I I on which the riders may comfortably sit in straddling relation thereto.

The supporting structure for seating member ID comprises pairs of legs I2, one pair thereof being provided for each end of said seating member. The upper -ends of the respective pairs of legs I2 are pivotally connected to respective end portions of the seating member I0 bysuitable means, as at i3. In order to brace the seating member against lateral tipping or overturning, the legs I2 of each pair thereof are shaped to diverge-downwardly. The lower end of each .leg I2 terminates in a rocker foot Iii or arcuate form.

Although the legs I2 may be variously shaped and may be made of any suitable material, it has been found preferable to produce the same and their rocker feet I4 by bending `suitable lengths of metallic tubing into desired shape. It will be obvious that by rocking the pairs of legs I2 back and for-th on their rocker feet I4 in corresponding directions, the seating member will be caused to reciprocate longitudinally.

`Lever members I5 extend perpendicular to and are pivotally connected to seating member I0 by suitable means, such as transverse pivot pins I6. The pivotal axes of the lever members I5 lare disposed transverse to seating member I0, and are relatively spaced apart from the mid-point of said seating member, whereby to be respectively disposed intermediate said mid-point and therespective outer ends of the 1atter. Preferably said lever members I5 are housed in slots -Il with which the supporting member is provided.

Each lever member I5 is provided with a lower arm I8 dependent from the under side of the seating member I0 in inwardly spaced relation to the adjacent pair of leg members I2 .by which the seating member is supported. Pivotally connected with the respective leg members I2 of said adjacent pair thereof, at points spaced above the rocker feet I4, and thus Well'clear of the iloor level upon which the device stands, by'a transverse pivot rod I9, are vfoot boardslll. These foot l,boards are. respectively laterally ioiset :relative to the outer sides of the leg members I2, and extend longitudinally inward from said leg members respectively in parallel but downwardly and outwardly off set relation to the respective vertical planes of the opposite side margins of the supporting member I9. The inner ends of the foot boards 20 are pivotally connected with the free end portion of the lower arm I8 of the lever member I5 by a transverse pivot rod 2| to which the said arm I8 is pivotally coupled. Each lever member I5 is also provided witl an upper arm 22 which projects above the seating member I5, and which may comprise a simple extension of the lower arm I8, or may be optionally given any desired shape or configuration. As shown, for example, the upper arm 22 o each lever member I5 is shaped to resemble the neck and head of a horse, and aS thus shaped are disposed to produce the effect of two horses in facing relation. However shaped, the upper arm 22 of each lever member I5 is so formed as to provide or include a stop shoulder 23 in normal spaced away relation to the top II oi the seating member I, and which, by abutment against said seating member, is adapted to limit the scope or amplitude of reciprocable and oscillating movement of the seating member when the device is in use. In order that each rider may conveniently pull and push upon the lever .mem-

' bers I5 when riding and operating the device,

the upper arms 22 of the lever members are provided with suitably located laterally and oppositely projecting hand grip members 24.

Coordinated operation of the lever members I5, foot boards 2u and legs I2 is attained by a connecting link means 25 which extends between the lower arms I8 of said lever members. Due to the provision of this connecting lin-k means, when one lever member I5 is rocked back and forth by manipulating grasp oi its hand grip members 24, the other lever member I 5 will respond in substantial parallelism to said first mentioned lever member, and such coordinated movement of the level members will be accompanied by like coordinated back and forth swing or oscillation of the leg members I2 and intermediate foot boards `.26, whereby the seating member will be both longitudinally reciprocated and its occupied end portions caused to rise and fall with a pleasant and entertaining oscillatory movement. The connecting link means 25 comprises two relatively adjustable sections 25 and 2, whereby the eiective length of the connecting link means can be varied, thus to vary the amplitude of movement of the device in use. Said lin-k sections 26 and 2 may conveniently comprise metallic bars arranged to mutually bear against each other in aligned end to end overlapping relation. The degree of overlap, and thus the eiective length of the connecting link means as a whole is determined by relatively sliding the link sections in opposite directions, and then securing the same together against relative movement. Various devices could be used for securing the link sections in desired adjusted relation. An illustrative means for such purpose comprises a clamp bolt 28 carried by one link section, e. g. section 26, which is selectively engageable with longitudinally spaced holes 29 with which the other link section, e. g. section 27, is provided.

The adjusted connecting link means 25 cooperates with the stop shoulders 23 with which the upper lever arms 22 of the lever members I 5 are provided, whereby to vary the amplitude o movement of the device in use. Fig. 1 shows the connecting link means 25 adjusted to its maximum length, thus spacing the arms I8 of the lever members I5 and associated legs I2 farther apart. and bringing the upper arms 22 of the lever members I5 closer together, whereby the stop shoulders 23 are so spaced relative to the seating member I0 as to permit maximum amplitude of oscillatory movement of the lever members I5 and associated legs I2; in other words, so as to permit a large degree of angular movement of these parts before the stop shoulder 23 of the leading lever member comes into limiting contact with the seating member II). Fig. 4 shows the connecting link means 25 adjusted to a minimum length, thus spacing the arms I8 of lever members I5 and associated legs I2 closer together, and disposing the upper arms 22 of said lever members farther apart, whereby the stop shoulders 23 are so spaced relative to the seating member I0 as to permit a minimum amplitude of oscillatory movement of the lever members I5 and associated legs; in other words, so as to permit but a small degree of angular movement of these parts before the stop shoulder of the leading lever member comes into limiting contact with the seating member I0. It will be obvious that variations of amplitude of movement of the device intermediate the maximum and minimum limits may be arranged for by modifying the length of the connecting link means 25 selectively between its longest and shortest length. By the described adjustments, a large amplitude of operational movement may be permitted suitable for large children; and a small amplitude of movement which better suits the device for safe use by very small children.

In the use of the device, the permitted amplitude of oper-ational movement is first set t0 suit the age and size of the riders. It is preferable, of course, that two riders use the device, and that these riders be approximately the same in size. The riders mount the device so that they respectively occupy opposite end portions of the seating member Ill, with their feet firmly planted upon the foot boards 20 at their occupied end of the device, thus assuring safe legbraced seating of the riders. Being thus mounted, each rider grasps the hand grip members 24 of the lever member I5 behind which such rider is seated. The riders now alternate in pulling and pushing on their respective lever members, thus causing the legs I2 to rock back and forth on their rocker feet I4, and the seating member to reciprocate longitudinally with some up and down swinging of the occupied ends thereof, and some up and down movement of the foot boards, so that down thrust of the riders legs, at proper times, upon said foot boards will also contribute to production of operational movement of the device. In the use and operation of the device, not only do the users enjoy a pleasant and entertaining riding motion, but at the same time are, benecially, physically exercised, especially with respect to their arms and legs. The device may be beneficially used for exercising both arms and legs of children who are recovering from polio.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A ridable amusement and exercising device comprising an elongated seating member, leg structures having upper ends thereof pivotally connected to respective end portions of the seating member, means pivotally interconnected between the medi-a1 portion of the seating member and the leg structures, whereby to produce oscillating movement of said leg structures with accompanying reciprocation of the seating member.

2. A ridable amusement and exercising device comprising an elongated seating member, leg structures having upper ends thereof pivotally connected to respective end portions of the seating member, the lower ends of said leg structures terminating in rocker feet, operating means pivotally interconnected between the medial portion of the seating member and the leg structures, whereby to produce rocking oscillation `of said leg structures on their rocker feet with accompanying reciprocation of the seating member.

3. A ridable amusement and exercising device comprising an elongated seating member, leg

structures having upper ends thereof pivotally connected to respective end portions of the seating member, the lower ends of said leg structures terminating in rocker feet, a pair of substantially upright lever members medially pivoted to the seating member on transverse axes and in tandem relation between the end portions of the latter, said lever members having m-anipulatable upper arms projecting above the seating member and lower arms extending below said seating member in substantially parallel relation to the leg structures, and means connecting the lower arms of said lever members respectively to respective leg structures whereby oscillation of the lever members will produce corresponding rocking oscillation of the leg structures on their rocker feet with accompanying reciprocation of the seating member.

4. A ridable amusement and exercising device as dene in claim 3 wherein the upper arms of the lever members are provided with transverse hand grip means.

5. A ridable amusement and exercising device as defined in claim 3 including a connecting link between the lower arms of the lever members adapted to coordinate the oscillatory movements thereof.

6. A ridable amusement and exercising device as dened in claim 3 wherein the upper arms of the lever members are provided with stop means for engagement with the seating member and operative thereupon to limit oscillatory movements of the device.

7. A ridable amusement and exercising device as defined in claim 6 including an adjustable connecting link between the lower arms of the lever members adapted to coordinate the oscillatory movements thereof and cooperative with the stop means for modifying permitted amplitude of oscillation thereof.

8. A ridable amusement and exercising device comprising an elongated seating member the free end portions of which provide seats for the riders, leg structures having rocker feet, means for pivotally connecting the upper ends of the leg structures to respective end portions of the seating member, a pair of substantially upright lever members medially pivoted to the mid-portion of the seating member in spaced apart tandem relation, said lever members having manipulatable upper arms provided with hand grip means and lower arms disposed in substantially parallel relation to the leg structures, foot boards laterally offset in substantially parallel plane relation to the opposite sides of the seating portions of the seating member, means for pivotally connecting outer ends of the foot boards to the adjacent leg structures, and means to pivotally connect inner ends of said foot boards to adjacent lower arms of said lever members, whereby oscillation of the lever members will be transmitted by the foot boards to the leg structures so as to produce rocking oscillation of the latter on their rocker feet with accompanying reciprocation of the seating member.

9. A ridable amusement and exercising device as dened in claim 8 including a connecting link between the lower arms of the lever members adapted to coordinate the oscillatory movements thereof.

10. A ridable amusement and exercising device as defined in claim 8 wherein the upper arms of the lever members are provided with stop means for engagement with the seating member and operative thereupon to limit oscillatory movements of the device.

11. A ridable amusement and exercising device as defined in claim 10 including an adjustable connecting link between the lower arms of the lever members adapted to coordinate the oscillatory movements thereof and cooperative with the stop means for modifying permitted amplitude of oscillation thereof.

MARTIN GREEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,854,059 Paris Apr. 12, 1932 2,066,736' Muse Jan. 5, 1937 2,487,249 Krasberg Nov. 8, 1939 2,487,663 Mikulic Nov. 8, 1949 

